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Lulo ReinhardtGENRE jazz SUBGENRE small groupMGM

Lulo Reinhardt is the foremost authentic and distinctive musical voice in Gypsy music today. Critics and fans agree that it is not solely because Lulo is the great-nephew of world-famous musician extraordinaire Django Reinhardt: It's about Lulo's unique musical genius, and his ability to make it appear so utterly effortless. The fact is that Lulo has devoted his life to music. He first showed an interest during his formative years. By the age of five Lulo was already being handed down the guitar tradition through his father Bawo. By the time he was 12, he was performing with his cousins in the Koblenz-based Mike Reinhardt sextet. Over the years, Lulo expanded his musical horizons as he delved into the music of other cultures.

"The audience sometimes expects me to play exclusively in the style of Django Reinhardt, but I have found a style of my own, and I'm happy and grateful that the people love it."

Today, Lulo continues to explore and perform a fusion of styles, including flamenco, Latin, and Brazilian jazz. He combines these with his own artistic stamp, and always with a nod to his Gypsy influences. His name has achieved international acclaim. He founded “I Gitanos” with his father Bawo and cousin Dege.

In 2008 Lulo found a new audience in Australia after a successful tour. He recorded a CD and DVD, “Lulo Reinhardt Live in Melbourne." In 2009, Lulo toured with International Guitar Night in Europe, the United States and Canada.

Today Lulo Reinhardt’s International Latin-Swing project features violinist Daniel Weltlinger (Australia), bassist Harald Becher (Germany), drummer Uli Krämer (Germany) and keyboardist Sean Mackenzie (Australia). The Latin Swing Project released a new album in 2010 and are currently promoting it with a tour of Australia, Europe and the UK.

".. the finest concert of acoustic guitar I have ever seen .."
John Shand. The Sydney Morning Herald

You’d have to say that Lulo Reinhardt is genetically programmed to be a pretty good guitarist.

The grand-nephew of the great Belgian Gypsy jazz king Django, Lulo is very much at home playing to Australian audiences. He’s made at least seven trips here and his latest, which takes place in May, will be to promote his Latin Swing Project’s new album, Katoomba Birds.

And it’s not just the title track which has an Aussie connection, there’s also Hobart Swing and - wait for it- Bossa Lismore on the 11-track playlist of originals.

Almost inevitably there’s a nod to his illustrious forebear in F Django, a track which reeks of Gitanes smoke-filled jazz clubs from the 1940s with fiddler Daniel Weitlinger summoning up the spirit of Stephane Grappelli.

The Hot Club spirit is stronger in this collection than Reinhardt’s Live In Melbourne album. Pianist Sean Mackenzie is a big influence here as well, though, with his latin-inspired soloing driving the self-penned Our Dream.

The title track is a lovely slower number which lends weight to Lulo’s claim to being today’s leading exponent of the distinctive manouche guitar style, despite there being several of his relatives who might dispute it.

And as for Bossa Lismore, if you can imagine beautiful bikini-clad Brazilian women sauntering past the RSL then this is for you!

What Katoomba Birds does demonstrate is that Lulo is also a pretty good composer. All tracks except one are his, and although it’s unfair to expect a new Nuages or Manoir de mes reves, these are nevertheless excellent jazz tunes which leave his top-notch Australian combo plenty of breathing space to improvise.